GARDEN UNDER THREAT

Yesterday, Joseph and Michael Makhani came to our garden and tried to evict two members who were present. When they refused to leave, Michael Makhani said “You’ll leave when the backhoes get here.”

Today they came back, with a moving truck and three other men. They used crowbars to start tearing apart our garden beds.

A garden member who lives across the street spotted them and called the police. Word spread, and people showed up from all over the neighborhood to support the garden.

When the police arrived they asked for proof that the Makhanis owned the land. The Makhanis could not produce proper documentation. We produced our endorsements from Councilmember Eugene and Borough President Eric Adams.

The police told the Makhanis, “if you take any of their things you will be arrested.”

As one officer said to me, “This will have to be settled in court.”

The Makhanis had to remove their moving truck from our garden. Empty.

It’s nice to win a battle. But let’s not lose the war. We need legal representation. If you can help, please email maple3garden@gmail.com